India Scrambles As 50 More Flights Receive Bomb Threats

NEW DELHI (ANI) – Bomb threats targeting a total of 50 domestic and international flights operated by Indian carriers between the night of October 22 and the evening of October 23 caused widespread disruption and financial losses for airlines. Major carriers, including IndiGo, Vistara, and Akasa Air, were impacted, with both domestic and international routes—such as flights to the U.S.—have been affected in this slew of threats that have been going on in India. Canada, Singapore, Nepal, have all had to deploy their security in reaction to this. One flight was even escorted by fighter jets as a precautionary measure.

In one of the most notable incidents, a bomb warning was issued for a Vistara flight traveling from Delhi to Kathmandu. The Nepal Army’s bomb disposal team was dispatched to inspect the aircraft upon its arrival. Meanwhile, Akasa Air, which also received threats, emphasized that it was following all necessary safety procedures to ensure the security of its passengers.

The extraordinary scale of the threats, most of which were posted on social media platforms like X, has had Indian officials rushing for solutions. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a press conference that a private network was used to post the threats and promised that the culprits will be punished.

To prevent further disruption, Naidu announced heightened security measures at airports across the country. These include increased surveillance, more thorough inspections of baggage x-ray images, and stricter passenger checklist verifications.

At a press conference in Delhi, Naidu also revealed that legislative actions are being considered to address the situation more effectively. Proposed changes include amendments to the Aircraft Security Rules and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act. Naidu stressed that airlines are fully cooperating with security agencies and that passenger safety remains the top priority.